From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Thu Dec 8 06:02:28 2011 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2011 22:02:28 -0800 Subject: [Mabs] Minutes from November's Rehab call. Message-ID: Hello all, Sorry for the delay, but I believe you will will be pleased with what you didn't know you would be waiting for! Below are minutes from the rehab call, as taken by membership committee secretary Liz Bottner. I truley Hope you find these as informitave as I have! Best, Darian NABS Membership Call: 11-20-11 Topic: Rehabilitation as it Relates to the Blind Guest Speaker: Dr. Edward Bell Slated Questions: Q: What is the goal of vocational rehabilitation? A: There are a lot of different aspects of rehabilitation. All on this call are interested in Title I of the Rehab act; To gain, maintain or advance in employment. To Gain: Get a job To Maintain: If you are already working; maybe the job has changed, workload/responsibilities have increased, technology has changed. Obtain help to learn the new things. Advance: Moving up in your line of career or finding a different one which is higher up. Q: What will rehab pay for in terms of someone getting an undergraduate degree? A: Anything that is necessary to help you get a job can be paid for by vocational rehabilitation; almost no limit at all if you can demonstrate that it will help you get a job. Different states may have different interpretations of this law; some states may not pay for Masters degrees, PH.D?s, etc. In some states, they will help you get the initial training and anything beyond that is your responsibility. While not federal law, Voc Rehab will also enquire about using comparable services to help pay for things. Federal law is above state law. It is not your responsibility to worry about the state budget; it is your responsibility to worry about what it takes to go to school/getting a job. Q: Are any services provided dictated by financial need? A: This differs from state to state. If a family has financial means to pay for things, they could be asked to pay for a computer and then Voc Rehab would pay for the assistive technology software for the computer as that is considered necessary because of the blindness or visual impairment; above and beyond the normal cost of a computer. Q: What kinds of services can Voc Rehab provide above and beyond graduation? A: Voc Rehab does not have a good track record in helping people with disabilities find jobs. You should be thinking about the job that you want to do long before you graduate. The most successful blind people find their jobs in the way that sighted people do; go to job websites, submit resumes at job fairs, call companies, etc. What Voc Rehab will do is fund the services that you need to get you ready for the job; training, school, technology, readers, etc. Q: You work for a few years and when you go to get a promotion find out that you need another degree. Your case is then closed with VR. Would it be possible to open a VR case at that point? A: Yes. You can be employed and open a VR case. Up until eight months after your case is closed, you are eligible for post-employment services. This usually to cover one or two ?things? and only involves short time periods. Voc Rehab can and does open cases on people who are employed all the time. Voc Rehab counselors are always looking at two things; the budget and the rate of closure on cases. Q: What are some tips/good strategies for people who are struggling with dealing with their Voc Rehab agencies? A: The most successful VR cases are when there is a good working relationship between the client and counselor. Be polite, cordial and professional; document and justify everything; have a good track record of success; advocacy/self-advocacy. Q: What is the IPE? A: IPE - Individualized Plan for Employment; It is a contract between you and the agency. Whatever is on the IPE that you and your counselor sign is a contract that you and your VR agency must fulfill in order for you to get what you need. Four important pieces of the IPE: list of 4 items 1. The Vocational Goal: What is it that you want to be when you ?grow up?? Example: I want to be a classroom teacher. 2. What are the services that VR has to provide in order for you to achieve this goal? Ex: Training, technology, undergraduate degree, certification exams, Masters degree. 3. The Evaluation: You have to demonstrate that you can fulfill your half of the bargain. 4. The Timeline: Voc Rehab is not going to stretch your plan out forever. You have to follow through with what you say you are going to within the time line that is agreed upon. list end At any time in the process you or your counselor can amend the IPE; changing the goal, services or time line. Open Questions: Q: If there is inaccessible software at a job where it was being looked into for a company to come in and script for JAWS, does this fall within VR or within the employer to pay for it? A: VR will say that the employer should be responsible for this expense. It is expected that as an employer you would want to accommodate your employee. The employer might also decide that they cannot pay for it and in that case VR would be looked to in doing so. Q: If someone wanted to try and get a second chance with their VR agency, what would be a good way to show the agency that things have changed on the end of the individual? A: Have the initial conversation with the counselor and explain yourself. You have to demonstrate that you can do what you say you can do Realize that the VR agency may at first be skeptical, but by law they cannot refuse you service. Respectfully Submitted, From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Sat Dec 10 16:26:47 2011 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:26:47 -0800 Subject: [Mabs] Pennies for Pages! Message-ID: The National Association of Blind Students presents: Pennies for Pages! Pennies for pages is a fundraiser where you can increase your exposure to Braille, and raise money for your Student Division or Affiliate at the same time! Want to know how? Here goes: 1. Go to www.nfb.org/bral to sign up for the Braille readers are leaders contest. 2. Sign up to participate in the Pennies for Pages fundraiser at www.nabslink.org/pennies_for_pages/pennies_form.php. 3. Ask friends, family, and teachers to sponsor you as you read from your favorite books, discover new books and raise funds that help benefit the work of your local and national student divisions. Funds will be shared equally between NABS, and your state student division or affiliate (depending on what you specify). The person who raises the most funds will be recognized by the National Association of Blind Students with an award! Questions? Contact Sean Whalen, President at: nabs.president at gmail.com We thank you for helping us to further the work of the National Association of Blind Students and the National Federation of The Blind. -- Darian Smith "To dream what is possible and to put oneself in service of that dream is the formula for a life well lived." - Dr. Peter Benson From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Wed Dec 14 19:17:18 2011 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:17:18 -0800 Subject: [Mabs] National Association of Blind Students Membership call: Home for the holidays. Message-ID: Home For The Holidays Do you have concerns about addressing your blindness with family and friends? Are you wondering about how to approach them about your independence? Joine us on communicating with your family and friends about, blindness, independence, and positive attitudes. When: December? 18, 2011 at 7pm Eastern Call: 712-755-7100 Pass code: 257963 NABS hopes to see you there. -- Darian Smith "To dream what is possible and to put oneself in service of that dream is the formula for a life well lived." - Dr. Peter Benson From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Wed Dec 14 19:37:24 2011 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:37:24 -0800 Subject: [Mabs] *for High School Students* Nabs Highschool committee presents: Of Blindness and Federation Philosiphy Message-ID: To all High School Students Are you new to the NFB, or have you been a member for a while? Do you want to learn more about the positive philosophy of blindness that we in the National Federation of the Blind believe in? Join the high school committee as we talk about the NFB?s Philosophy of blindness. When: Sunday, December 18, 2011. 6p.m. ET. Call: (712)775-7100 Pass code: 257963 we look forward to having you! NABS High School Committee -- Darian Smith "To dream what is possible and to put oneself in service of that dream is the formula for a life well lived." - Dr. Peter Benson From dsmithnfb at gmail.com Fri Dec 16 18:28:22 2011 From: dsmithnfb at gmail.com (Darian Smith) Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:28:22 -0800 Subject: [Mabs] nabs December membership calls. Message-ID: Hello all, A quick reminder regarding two calls that are coming up on Sunday. The first is only for high school students, so please take note of pass word to any you may know of. The second call is for any and all students. Please take note of start times so you don?t miss out. We hope you enjoy! (For High School Students only!): of Blindness and Federation Philosophy Do you want to learn more about the positive philosophy of blindness that we in the National Federation of the Blind believe in? Join the high school committee as we talk about the NFB?s Philosophy of blindness. When: Sunday, December 18, 2011. 6p.m. ET. (nabs December membership call) Home for the Holidays: Do you have concerns about addressing your blindness with family and friends? Are you wondering about how to approach them about your independence? Joine us on communicating with your family and friends about, blindness, independence, and positive attitudes. When: December 18, 2011 at 7pm Eastern Both calls Will use the Following call-in information. Call: (712)775-7100 Pass code: 257963 Happy holidays! The Nabs membership committee.